Sharing good news from across the organization!
Stream Smart Workshops
After multiple COVID cancellations and switching to Zoom for our Introductory Stream Smart workshops, we were finally able to hold two, in-person, two-day Stream Smart Field Trainings this fall! Held in Falmouth (pictured above) and in Farmington, we engaged with engineers and foresters, as well as people from Soil and Water Districts, land trusts, and state agencies to provide hands-on training both in the field and in the classroom. Attendees learned the art of assessing a stream for preliminary design ideas for road/stream crossings in order to create Stream Smart crossings that reconnect fish and wildlife habitat and improve public safety and protect our infrastructure. We had been waiting so long to get to Farmington for the training, the original undersized crossing we had planned to use in 2020 has since been replaced with a beautiful Stream Smart crossing! We pivoted to a nearby crossing planned for replacement in 2023, and we were able to wrap up the two-day training at the brand new Stream Smart crossing.
Camp Updates
“My son, Leo, attended the Fields Pond Bug camp this past summer. I just wanted to let you and all the staff know how much he enjoyed it. We were very impressed with the camp, the activities, and the staff. He still continuously talks about the things he learned and shows his little brother how to catch bugs etc. He went to several camps in southern Maine this year, but your camp stood above and beyond the others.”
Our education team is putting the final touches on plans for February Vacation Camp which we’ll offer at Gilsland Farm and Fields Pond, from February 21-24, 2023. Bookmark maineaudubon.org/camps and check back soon for registration details.
Online Chapter Programs
“Tonight’s Best of Maine talk was excellent: pure fun from beginning to end. The talk around the room after the presentation was of the “wonderful talk,” “best one I’ve heard,” “he’s a terrific speaker,” “did a great job bringing us an entertaining evening,” etc. Personally I found your talk to be a thoroughly enjoyable blend of humor and Maine birding lore. It was presented in a relaxed yet professional way. You blended expertise with a hint of mystery, which kept the audience engaged. Nice work! Thank you very much Nick!”
David Doubleday, Program Chair, York County Audubon
Maine Audubon chapters offer online programs and field trips. Find out more about the seven Chapters here. Nick Lund is giving an online presentation for the Penobscot Valley chapter on November 4 called “State of the Loons” (more info/register here). Western Maine’s also offering a free online program on November 9, on Maine Lichens with Dr. Ronald Butler (more info here).
Forestry for Maine Birds Appreciation
Conservation Director Sally Stockwell led a Forestry for Maine Wildlife presentation and workshop in October at Woodland Owner Appreciation Day, an annual event hosted by Lakes Environmental Association, Portland Water District, and Sebago Clean Waters. This year the event was at the Peabody-Fitch Woods, a preserve and tree farm in Bridgton, adjacent to Narramissic, a Bridgton Historical Society site. One attendee from Peabody Pond in Naples summed up the workshop with this comment, saying “This brief note is a small token of my appreciation for you, Sally, and your ongoing contributions and efforts to sustain the natural world around us. I thank you for all that you do. It was an honor to share a brief moment in the woods together with you.”
